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I, Too
by Langston Hughes
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I'll sit at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.
Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--
I, too, am America.
Hughes, Langston. 1932. Dream keeper and other poems. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
ISBN 0394910966.
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Extension
Pair this poem with a reading of Goin' Someplace Special by Patricia C. McKissack.
Both the poem and the picture book provide a glimpse into the lives of African Americans during slavery and segregation.
Talk about the differences and commonalities in both of these works. Discuss the feelings of the main characters and
ask the students to consider how they think they would feel in that situation.
McKissack, Patricia C. 2001. Goin' Someplace Special. Illus by Jerry Pinkney. New York:
Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689818858.
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